Awning made of metal plates



Jan. 18, 1955 s, ZVElBlL 2,699,824

AWNING MADE OF METAL PLATES Filed June 12, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet lINVENTOR 1955 s. M. ZVEIBIL 2,699,824

AWNING MADE OF METAL PLATES Filed June 12, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

INVENTOR Jul/00hr Mia/s Zzezfif/ Jan. 18, 1955 s ZVE|B|L 2,699,824

AWNING MADE OF METAL PLATES Filed June 12, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 6L-" 'F'IG.7

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extended and swung laterally in either direction.

United States Patent ()fiice 2,699,824 Patented Jan. 18, 1955 12,699,824 AWNING MADE OF METAL PLATES Salvador Matheus Zveibil, SaoPaulo, Brazil Application June 12, 1952, Serial No. 293,102 9 Claims.(Cl. 160-62) My invention relates to improvements in expansible andretractable awnings the roof of which comprises a series of overlappingparallel plates, sections or panels formed of metal or other materials,the awning being suitable for industrial and commercial establishments,industries, storehouses, stations, bus and car terminals, markets,garages and other structures in which an efiicient and suitableprotection is required against rain and sun.

My present invention is an improvement on the awning structure disclosedin my Patent No. 2,581,827, granted January 8, 1952. The awning of mypresent invention includes overlapping parallel sections, plates orpanels having a structure similar to that disclosed in my patent.

The primary object of my invention is to provide an expansible andcontractable awning which is extremely practical and efficient andeconomical to manufacture.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved awningstructure, in which theseries of awning plates or panels are readilyextended or contracted and also readily shifted laterally relative toeach other and to the supporting structure.

In accordance with my present invention, the improved awning, which maybe attached to any suitable supporting structure, includes a series ofindividual overlapping parallel panels or plates extending outwardlyfrom the supporting structure, when the awning is expanded, these platesor panels being supported by a plurality of spaced expansible andcontractable supporting arms extending thereunder and arranged to swinglaterally or horizontally from pivot supports so that the series of roofplates or panels may be expanded, contracted or shifted laterally ineither direction, or given any combination of these movementssimultaneously or independently.

An awning of this type has the advantage that since the supporting armsare pivoted to a supporting means, they may be swung laterally through aconsiderable arc, up to approximately 180, thereby greatly enlarging theprotection from rain or from the suns rays.

The improved awning of the present invention is distinguished orcharacterized by including supporting arms for sustaining the roofplates of the awning made up of pantographically articulated elements,such as rods, plates or other forms of elements which are mounted in aposition so that they move in planes parallel to or extending ingenerally the same direction as the planes of expansion of the roofplates of the awning. The arms comprising the pantographicallyarticulated elements are hinged or pivoted to a supporting means onvertical pivot axes so that the arms can be swung around horizontally ineither direction, while at the same time the roof plates supportedthereby are maintained in their parallel relationship.

The construction of the awning is such that when the arms are swung inone direction from a position straight out from the supportingstructure, the movable roof plates of the awning are shifted in thatdirection to an extent corresponding to their distance from the pivotaxes of the arms. The series of roof plates are also retracted so thatthe overlap between one plate and the next lower outer plate isincreased.

The awning construction of the present invention is such that it may beused completely or partially expanded or open, expanded to any degreeand partly shifted or swung so as to provide adequate protection fromsunlight as the sun moves in the sky, and complei tely urthermore, theawning can be retracted directly backwards or by a swing sideways.

Other features and advantages of the improved awning construction of theinvention are described more in detail hereinafter in connection withthe accompanying drawings forming a part of this application andillustrating a number of embodiments of the improved arm construction.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an awning constructed and arranged inaccordance with the invention, the awning being illustrated as partlyexpanded and mounted on the side of a building over a window;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the awning shown in Fig. 1taken on the line 2--2;

Fig. 3 is a broken plan view of the supporting arm illustrated in Fig.l, and shown in partially forward ex fpanded condition;

Fig. 4 is a broken sectional view similar to that of Fig. 2 showing theawning in substantially completely retracted position;

Fig. 5 is a broken plan view similar to that of Fig. 3 showing theawning arm of Fig. 3 in nearly completely retracted position;

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are broken plan views looking down on the awningillustrated in Fig. 1, showing respectively the awning fully extended,partially extended, and almost completely retracted, in straight forwardpositions;

Fig. 9 is a plan view similar to that of Fig. 6 showing the awning armsfully extended and swung to the left so that the series of awning platesare partly retracted;

Fig. 10 is a plan view looking down on the awning shown in Fig. 1 withthe awning arms fully extended and swung fully to the left so that theseries of movable awning plates are shifted to the left and moved tofully retracted position;

Figs. 11 and 12 are broken perspective views showing the details ofconstruction of modified. forms of panto graphic awning arms accordingto the invention;

Figs. 13 to 17, inclusive, are diagrammatic side elevational viewsshowing various types of awning arm structures in which thepantographically articulated elements forming the arms are made of bars,tubes or plates in various arrangements and forms.

Referring to the drawings, an awning constructed according to myinvention comprises a series of parallel movable overlapping plates,lamina or panels 20 extending outwardly from the building or otherstructure on which they are supportted and generally parallel thereto.The panels 20, and an inner similar fixed panel 21, are carried on aplurality of spaced supporting arms 22, two of such arms being shown inFigs. 1 and 6 to 10 of the drawings. The arms 22 are fixed to ahorizontal beam 24 carried by spaced brackets 26 attached by bolts 28 tothe side of a building 29, or other supporting structure on which. theawning is mounted. Each arm 22 comprises a pantographic structure whichis pivoted to the supporting beam 24 on a vertical pivot axis whichpermits the lateral swinging of the arm through a considerable angle.

The roof plate-supporting arms 22 comprise pantographically articulatedelements connected or pivoted together by means of vertical pins. Theseelements are formed from bars, plates, tubes or other convenientlyprofiled stock, arranged in criss-cross relationship and pivotedtogether to form a pantographic mechanism having vertical pivot axes andoperating in a horizontal plane. The inner end of each pantographicmechanism forming an arm is pivoted on a fixed vertical axis comprisingthe first pivot joint of the mechanism, such joint being attached to thehorizontal beam 24-.

The form of arm construction shown in Figs. 2 to 5 comprises apantographic hinge type structure including a pair of similar plates 3thinged together at their inner ends on a hinge pin 32. This part of thearm is pivoted by the pin 32 to a supporting bracket member 34 fixed tothe beam 24. The outer ends of the plates 30 are hinged respectively tothe inner ends of plates 36 and 37, the outer ends of which are hingedtogether and to adjacent plates 38 and 39 to provide a cross pivot.These plates 38 and 39 preferably form rigid straight continuationsrespectively of plates 36 and 37.

The arm 22, as shown in Fig. 3, includes a second set of plates 36 to 39arranged in a cross pivot in the same way as the first set, and finalplates 40 and 41 hinged respectively to the outer ends of the outermostplates 38 and 39,4111; plates 40 and 41 being hinged together at the endby a pivot pin 42. The hinged pantographic structure shown in Fig. 3includes similar central pivot pins ,42 and side .hinge or pivot. pins43. The pivoting of the plate sections 36, 37, 38 and 39 to one ofthepins .42 to form the cross and at the same time provide a'st'raightrigid connection between plate sections 36 and 38 and between platesections 37 and 39 may be accomplished in var-ions Ways. For example,the pin 42may carry a plu- 'ra'lity of rings, one above the other, toalternate rings 2'to 5,the hinge plates forming the pantographic arm arearranged with their lower edges in the same horizontal plane, whiletheir upperedges slope downwardly and outwardly from the pin 32 in themanner shown in Fig. 2. In other words, the upper edges of the platesections taper downwardly. V

The pins 32 and 42 advantageously extend above the pantographic systemand provide bearings for pivotally supporting a bracket or arm 44 foreach of the awning plates 20 and 21. Each of these arms 44 includes anupper flat plate or surface 45, as-shown in Figs. 3 and 5, tapering to apoint at the outer end and a stiffening web] or-fiange 46 (Fig. 2)tapering from the base to the tip' of the a'r'm. Each arm 44 is providedat its base with a vertical hole which fits over one of the pins 32 or42. The plates 20 and 21 may be attached to the arms .44 by means ofscrews or by spot welding. The lower edge of;the flanges or webs 46preferably extend out horizontally, while the upper surface 45 of thearm slopes downwardly to the desired extent for the roof plates 20 and21.

The awning roof plates may be made in any form and corrugated if,desired but, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4 are flat metal plates having anupturned upper edge 48 and a downwardly turned lower edge 50. Theuppermost plate 21 remains in fixed position with respect to thesupporting brackets 34 because the pin 32 is not movable, and in certainforms of construction may extend to and be sealed to the wall 29.However, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the gap between the wall 29 andthe uppermost plate 21 is closed by a plate 52 fixed onto the wall 29and extending out over the back upturned edge of the plate 21. A singlearm 44 is used for supporting one of the plates 20 on each of the arms22 of the awning and two or more arms 22 may be employed depending uponthe dimensions of the awning and the rigidity of the awning plates 20. I

The pantographic arm structure of the present invention may be made upin various ways not only from the standpoint of the elements ofconstruction but from the standpoint of the appearance of the awning.One form of construction has been described above in connection withFigs. 1 to of the drawings. Fig. 11 illustrates a modified form ofsupporting arm construction in which the elements of the pantographicsystem are made up of plates 54 of uniform width mounted horizontally toprovide a pantographic system of the type shown in Figs. 2 to 5. In Fig.11 the inner central pivot of the system includes a pivot pin 55 towhich the supporting bracket corresponding to the bracket 34 is pivoted,this pin being relatively long and including a fixed bearing member 56on which one of the plate-supporting arms 46 is carried. The othercentral pivot pins for supporting the awning plates extend progressivelyless above the pantographic plates 54 in order to provide for the slopeof the awning. One of these pins 57, provided with the fixed bearingring 56 is shown in Fig. 11. At the outer end of the pantographic armthe bearing ring 56 on the pin 57 may be omitted or rest directly on theend plates of the arm as in Fig. 2. In all of the forms of armconstruction, the center row of pins on which the plate supporting arms44 are pivoted move in a straight line when the arms are expanded andcontracted.

The modified form of construction shown in Fig. 12 illustrates the useof tubes, rods or bars 58 and 59 for forming the pantographic arms. Inthis instance, the

e e en s pft epa phi ys m n udea P o ssively decreasing number of tubes,rods or bars from the inner to the outer end of fthe arm. Fig. 12 alsoshows a modified form of pivot pin and plate-supporting construction inwhich the center row of pins 60 are bent to provide forwardly extendingarms 61 to which the awning plates may be fastened, these arms 61 takingthe place of the arms 44 shown in Figs. 2 to 5. The elfective height ofthe pins 60 above the horizontal lower plane of the pantographic armprogressively decreases from the inner to the outer end to-provide' forthe desired slope of the awning. The laterally extending portions 61 areinclined to the desired extent to provide the desired slope for theindividual plates. It is to be understood that the outer ends of thearms 61 will at the same time extend slightly 'above the next succeedingarm and the plate attached thereto. The combined pin 60 and arm 61 maybe used" in most forms of the pantographic arm.

Figs. 13 to 17, inclusive, show diagrammatically further modified formsof awning arm construction. In Fig. 13, the pantographic arm is made upof tubes, rods or bars 62, the arm being wider at the inner end than theouter and having'a horizontal base. The upper part of the arm is steppedat the position of the awning plates, so that each plate supporting arm44 is pivoted in with the elements forming the next section to the rear,the outermost plate being supported on an arm 44 pivoted in the endpivot of the pantographic arm along with the tubes, rods or bars.

The form of arm construction shown in Fig. 14 is somewhat similar tothat shown in Fig. 12, except that the elements of the pantographic armare made up of tubes, rods or bars 64 to form an arm of uniform heightand extending parallel. The set of pivots are the same as in Fig. 11,except that the plate supporting arm 44 for the %llt11;.Wnlng plate ispivoted in the same manner as in The arm structure shown in Fig. 15 isgenerally the same as that shown-in Fig. 2 in that it is wider at theinner end than at the outer and the upper portion slopes according tothe slope of the awning. On the other hand, the lower edge of the arm,which is made up of metal plates 66 hinged together, slopes downwardlyfrom'its inner fixed end to its outer end, thereby giving a somewhatdifferent appearance from that of the arm structure shown in Fig. 2.

The awning arm shown in Fig. 16 is'a pantographic arm made up of metalplates 68 hinged together as in Fig. 2 to form a pantographic mechanism.In this instance, the plates are of uniform width so that the upper andlower edges of the arm are parallel and arranged to provide a continuousslope corresponding to the desired slope of the awning. In Figs. 15 and16, the awning plate-supporting arms are mounted in the same manner asin Figs. 2 to 5.

Thepantographic supporting arm structure shown in. Fig. 17 compriseselements made up of rods, bars or tubes 70, and has an upper structurethe same as that shown in Fig. 13. The lower portion of the arm,however, is stepped at each of the center pivot joints and at the firstoutside pivot joints to provide a distinctly different appearance fromthat of the arm structure shown in 13. In Fig. 17, the plate supportingarms 44 are pivoted to the pantographic arm in the same manner as inFig. 13.

The awning of the present invention is expansible and retractablestraight out from the supporting structure by reason of the expansibleand retractable feature of the pantographic arms, as illustrated inFigs. 6, 7 and 8 of the drawings. The awning may be expanded orcontracted to the position shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8 or shifted to theposition shown in Figs. 9 and 10 by means of a pole carrying a hook, notshown, which may be engaged into the eye of an eye-bolt 72 attached toone or all ofthearms of the awning, as shown in Fig. 2. When the awningis extended fully by expanding the pantographic arms, as in Fig. 6, theawning plates 20 may be shifted laterally to. either side by swingingthe ends of the pantographic arms either to the right or to the left.these arms being adapted to swing through an angle of approximately aswill beseen by comparing the showing in Fig. 10 with that in Fig. 6. Itwill be noted, however, that Fig. 10 illustrates a second method ofretracting the awning plates, by swinging the arms 22 completely to theright or left. Fig. 9 illustrates the awning with the arms fullyextended and theplat'es 20 shifted partly to the left so that the awningwill be more etfective to the left of its normal position as shown inFig. 6, for example.

The shifting of the awning plates 20 to one side or to the other of theposition shown in Fig. 6 is possible because of the parallel arrangementof the arms 22 and the pivoting of the plates each at a single pivotpoint with respect to each arm so that the pivot points of all arms arearranged in parallel. The arms 22 of the awning are tied together inparallel relation by the plates 20 and when the arms are swung sidewiseon their vertical pivots, for example, on the pivot pins 32, the platesmaintain their parallel relationship with respect to each other and tothe supporting structure, but they are shifted in accordance with themovements of the plate-supporting pivot pins carried by the awning arms.When the awning plates are completely collapsed, as in Figs. 4, 8 and10, sufficient space is available under the plate supporting arms 44 or1 1t{o accommodate the next lower plate as it is moved Where the awningis placed over a window as illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, forexample, the plates 20 may be moved for a part of the morning to oneside of the window and for a part of the afternoon to the other side ofthe window in accordance with the direction of the suns rays.

Means not shown in the drawings may be provided for retaining the awningarms in any of the positions illustrated in the drawings or in any otherdesirable position or condition. Such means may comprise a suitablelatching means for holding the pantographic arms in any extended,partially extended, or completely retracted position. Similarly, meansmay be provided for latching one or more of the arms in any laterallyswung position, such as those illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 of thedrawings. Since such means form no part of the present invention the arenot illustrated.

The awning plates illustrated in the drawings constitute one form ofplate, but it is to be understood that other forms of plates or anelsmay be employed and that any size, sha e, or number of plates may beused to provide the overlapping relationship shown in the drawin s. Thisover apping relationship permits a free combined forward and lateralmovement which is substantially without friction and which provides atthe same time an ideal protection from the sun and rain. The platesthemselves may be made of aluminum. plastic, glass or other availablematerial. but it is to be understood that where the plates arerelatively long, three or four supporting arms may be provided.

In the awning construction shown in Figs. 1 to of the drawings. theawning is illustrated as being supported on a beam 24 of circularcross-section held in s aced supporting brackets 26. The beam 24 isrotatable in the brackets 26 and may be held against rotation by meanssuch as a bolt or pin.

If desired. the beam 24 may be rotated on its axis, in order to re u atethe inclination of the awning or to permit the swin ing of the awningdown to a vertical position so that it can serve as a closure or shutterf r the window or other space protected by the awning. Where the awningis intended to be used for this purpose, as at certain times of theyear. the beam 24 may be provided with a ratchet and pawl deviceassociated with one of the brackets 26 and means for rotating the beam24 so that the awnin mav be readily swung to the desired angle.

Having thus described mv invention, what T claim is:

1. In an awning for attachment to a supporting structure including aseries of individual rigid overlappin parallel roof plates arran ed toextend generally parallel to the supportin structure on which the awninis to be mounted, a plurality of s aced parallel arms by which saidplates are supported, said arms being arran ed to extend outwardly fromthe su porting structure. each arm comprising pivoted elements forming apantographic system for expanding and retracting the awning. a suporting means for said arms arranged to be attached to the supportingstructure, the inner end of each arm being pivotallv attached to saidsupporting means on an axis permitting the lateral swinging of saidarms, and a roof platesupporting means pivoted to each arm forsupporting each plate thereon. all of the plurality of plate supportingmeans for each plate being similarly pivoted to the respective arms,whereby the plates of said series are maintained in parallelrelationship during the expansion and contraction of the awning arms andduring the swinging of said arms on their pivot axes for the purpose oflaterally swinging the awning plates with respect to each other.

2. In an awning for attachment to a supporting structure including aseries of individual rigid overlapping parallel roof plates arranged toextend generally parallel to the supporting structure on which theawning is to be mounted, a plurality of spaced parallel arms by whichsaid plates are supported, said arms being arranged to extend outwardlyfrom the supporting structure, each arm comprising pivoted elementsforming a pantographic system for expanding and retracting the awning,the elements of the pantographic system being pivoted on vertical pivotpins and being movable in planes at right angles to the pivot pins, asupporting means for the inner ends of said arms arranged to be attachedto the supporting struc' ture, and a roof plate-supporting means pivotedto each arm for supporting each plate thereon, said roof platesupporting means being pivoted to said arm on an axis extending insubstantially the same direction as the axes of said pivot pins, all ofthe plurality of plate-supporting means for each plate being similarlypivoted to the respective arms, whereby the plates of said series aremaintained in parallel relationship during the expansion and contractionof the awning arms.

3. An awning as claimed in claim 2, supporting means carried by said armis respectively pivoted on the projecting portions of said verticalpivot pins.

4. An awning as claimed in claim 2 in which the pantographic system ofeach arm includes side and center rows of vertical pivot pins, thecenter row of which is movable in a straight line when the arm isextended and retracted, the pivot pins of said center row of pivot pinsprojecting beyond the arm at their respective positions, the platesupporting means for the roof plates being respectively pivoted on theprojecting portions of said center row of pins.

5. An awning as claimed in claim 2, in which the pantographic system ofeach arm includes side and center rows of vertical pivot pins, thecenter row of which is movable in a straight line when the arm isextended and retracted, the pivot pins of said center row of pivot pinsextending beyond the arm and forward at their respective positions andconstituting the said roof plate-supporting means for the roof plates.

6. An awning as claimed in claim 2, in which the pantographic system ofeach arm extends through a greater height at its inner end than at itsouter end.

7. An awning as claimed in claim 2, in which the support for the arms isrotatable for varying the inclination of the awning.

8. An awning as claimed in claim 2, in which the elements of thepantographic system are selected from the grgup of elements consistingof plates, rods, bars and tu es.

9. In an awning for attachment to a supporting strucin which theplateture including a series of individual rigid overlappingparallelroof plates arranged to extend generally parallel to the supportingstructure on which the awning is to be mounted, a plurality of spacedparallel arms by which said plates are supported, said arms being arraned to extend outwardly from the supporting structure. each armcomprising pivoted elements forming a panto raphic system for expandingand retracting the awning. the elements of the pantographic system beingpivoted on vertical pivot pins and being movable in planes at ri htangles to the pivot pins, a supporting means for the inner ends of saidarms arranged to be attached to the supporting structure, said suporting means including means by which the inner end of each arm ispivotally attached to said support permitting the lateral swin ing ofsaid arms, and a roof plate-supporting means pivoted to each arm forsupporting each plate thereon. all of the plurality of platesup ortingmeans for each plate being similarly pivoted to the res ective arms tomaintain the plates of said series in parallel relationship during theex ansion and contraction of the awnin arms and during the swinging ofsaid arms on their pivot axes for the purpose of laterally swinging theawning plates with respect to each other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

